A laboratory UV detector is an analytical instrument used to detect and quantify compounds by measuring their absorption of ultraviolet (UV) light. The most common application of a UV detector is in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the UV detector monitors the intensity of light passing through a sample. In flow chemistry applications compounds absorb light at specific UV wavelengths, the detector identifies and quantifies them based on the amount of light absorbed. UV detectors are crucial for analyzing substances like proteins, nucleic acids, and small organic molecules, offering high sensitivity and precision in identifying compounds in mixtures or solutions.
Features of the Fmoc-UV detector
The Fmoc-UV detector is a rugged UV detector designed specifically for flow chemistry applications. Key features include:
- Dual wavelength, 365 nm and 460 nm
- Simultaneous monitoring of both wavelengths
- High acquisition frequency of 4 Hz
- Rugged design
- Straight-through flow cell tolerant of particulates
- Easily replaced polymer flow cell
- RS232 serial protocols
- Interfaces directly with R-Series software
Most UV detectors used in flow chemistry applications were designed originally for HPLC applications. HPLC applications use low concentrations of relatively non-corrosive solutions. By contrast, flow chemistry and other chemical synthesis applications often use corrosive reagents at high concentrations. To satisfy the needs of chemical synthesis applications Vapourtec has designed a rugged, reliable and compact UV detector, the Fmoc-UV detector.
The Fmoc-UV has no moving parts and features a low-cost flow cell with a straight-through flow path. The complete low-cost flow cell can be easily replaced in the event of blockages. The Fmoc-UV detector analyses two wavelengths (365 nm and 460 nm) at an acquisition rate of 4 Hz.
The Fmoc-UV was originally designed to quantify the amount of the fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) protecting group in the outflow during solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) however further applications in chemical synthesis include:
- Quantify the amount of protecting groups in the outflow during SPPS
- Sampling batch reactors for compounds that absorb at 365 or 460 nm
- Triggering collection in flow chemistry during library synthesis
- Undertaking dispersion testing in flow chemistry applications
